While we may feel familiar with Mercury retrograde—maybe even a bit too familiar—we often overlook the other planetary retrogrades that make an impact on our lives.
And in the spotlight today is nebulous Neptune, ready to shift up its already mysterious energy by going retrograde in the sign of Pisces.
Before you panic, remember to take a look at your birth chart, specifically your Neptune placement and aspects, to determine how this transit will affect you. Yet, no matter what your own birth chart looks like, Neptune retrograde will affect us all in some way, and that’s what we’re here to find out about today.
Keep reading if you’re ready to learn all about mystical, enigmatic Neptune and what its retrograde period means for you!
Don’t forget to find out Which Planets Are Going Retrograde in 2022 & Which Ones Are Not?
This year, the Neptune retrograde period begins on June 28th and ends on December 3rd of 2022, continuing its journey in its native sign, Pisces.
Associated with dreams, illusions, mysticism, and spirituality, Neptune is a visionary planet that allows us to dream up our wildest fantasies and open our minds to a world of possibilities.
Yet, the nebulous nature of this planet is exactly what it can bring to the table within our lives, and depending on the transit, Neptune can cause cloudy thinking or difficulty separating fantasy from reality—especially when it’s in the dreamy sign of Pisces.
When Neptune goes retrograde, we can sometimes harness Neptune’s positive energy much more than usual. Because retrogrades emphasize the internal versus the external, Neptune’s energy is more accessible if we are willing to embrace it.
This is when feelings, thoughts, intuition, and dreams come to us with greater clarity, and this period offers extraordinary moments of clarity and intuitive insight.
Overall it is a great time for soul-searching, meditation, and reconnecting with yourself.
So, what are the six things we can expect from this Neptune retrograde?
Read next: How to Understand Transit Periods of the Outer Planets
It’s important that you learn to trust your intuition during this time, to listen to your gut feelings, and follow their lead. Neptune retrograde heightens sensitivity, meaning that you’re better able to pick up on the vibrations around you – trust your own instinctual feelings about them.
Your creative outlet is crucial now, as heightened sensitivity also means heightened emotions.
When you’re faced with big, overwhelming feelings, it’s best to express that through painting, drawing, writing music, or dancing, allowing yourself to both acknowledge and process those emotions.
Your imagination is boundless during Neptune retrograde, so take advantage of your brilliant visions and wildly creative ideas!
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This doesn’t mean you have to take a trip to some far-off remote mountain. A spiritual ritual can be as simple as engaging in meditative prayer in the evening, holding a crystal in the morning for ten minutes, or closing your eyes and repeating positive affirmations.
All spiritual activity is heightened during Neptune Retrograde.
During this period, the more you engage in daily spiritual rituals, the more you can tap into your intuitive side and connect with the deepest part of yourself!
During this time, you have the ability to shape whatever reality you want. Just remember that if you want something, be sure you want it.
Pisces is known to cause a few daydreams, so be sure that you’re creating the reality you want rather than focusing on your fantasies.
If you choose to take advantage of this powerful time of manifestation, make sure that your intentions are pure. As our connection with our subconscious is heightened, it’s all the more important that we act with intention and compassion.
Read this next: What Is Manifestation? & How to Use It
If done correctly, this retrograde provides us with the ability to strengthen our relationships with those we care for. It’s a wonderful time for a heart-to-heart or reconciliation. If you’re feeling more sensitive, then so are they.
Neptune retrograde allows us to put the past behind us, for this is also a forgiving planet that embraces love. The strengthening or mending of relationships around this time can forge deeper and long-lasting ones for the future.
Keep a dream journal next to your bed each night, and when you wake in the morning, try to write down your dream as best as you can recall. (Don’t worry if your dreams tend to slip away from you, this process gets easier over time.)
This is also the best time to give lucid dreaming a shot if you’re interested in more control within the dream world. Just be sure to look into the symbols and themes in your dreams to learn more about what your subconscious is trying to tell you.
Check out our Dream Dictionary for a breakdown of common symbols.
Reading up on a variety of spiritual topicsTaking the time to journalEngaging in meditationTalking to a respected healer/mentorIf you feel extra heightened in your awareness, stick to a routine that keeps you grounded so you don’t make any rash decisions on a whim.
Your internal feelings may be amplified, so take time to process them and not let your emotions rule your life. Ensure you still take care of the basics like eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly.
Take care of yourself no matter your situation.
The great thing about understanding planetary movements is that we realize that we do not simply accept whatever negative or positive influence they have on us. We can exercise it by understanding the planets and harnessing their energy for our own benefit.
We can be idealistic but realistic. We can trust but verify all information that comes in at this time. And then, we can create an action plan to achieve those ideals.
Embrace the energy of Neptune and Pisces, and let your imagination be your guide.
Related article: How to Listen to Your Intuition to Manifest Miracles & Abundance